If you have already started boxing you may have heard about how boxing glove care is important. This is why we are here to tell you how to take care of your boxing gloves so they can last as much as possible in good condition (and without smelling bad).
First of all, you need to learn how to care of your boxing gloves preventively. This gear can become smelly and full of bacteria because of the germs caused by sweating and wetness. However, not everything is lost, there are things you can do to prevent this from happening and having nice-smelling gloves as if they were brand new.
The Roar website says that prevention is better than the cure and we couldn’t agree more. Therefore, they shared several tips that you can follow to prevent bacteria and bad smell developing inside your boxing gloves.
Tip 1: Let your boxing gloves dry completely
After every use, let your boxing gloves get some air and dry completely. Why? Because germs and bacteria need moisture to survive and completely drying your gloves will prevent them from breeding. These invisible beings are the ones that generate bad smell.
One way to help your gloves dry is by hanging them in a well-ventilated area or in front of a fan. Placing them in the sun is also a good option.
Tip 2: Wipe your gloves inside after every use
Additionally, you can wipe your gloves with a dry cloth or a paper towel after every time you use them. You should wipe them both inside and outside to minimize moisture.
Tip 3: Do not store your gloves in your bag
If you throw your gloves inside your bag right after training, moisture will be created and bacteria will grow. It is better if you place the gloves inside a plastic bag after using them, take them home and hang them to dry. After they are dry, you can place them in your gym bag.
Tip 4: Use hand wraps
By using hand wraps – which is also essential for protecting your wrists and hands – sweat will not soak your gloves as much since the wraps will act like a sponge and absorb the moisture. However, you will have to clean the wraps afterward otherwise they will stink too.
Methods to clean your boxing gloves
Do you still need more information and tips about how to care for your boxing gloves? We are sure you do, so keep reading, here are some methods you can use to clean your boxing gloves if you feel that it is time to do so or if you forgot to dry them and have developed a bad smell.
- Use antibacterial spray
Antibacterial spray will kill germs in your gloves and before you hang them to dry you can spray them inside to kill bacteria and add freshness to them. To do this, unlace or unwrap your gloves, spray the antibacterial formula inside and place them in an open area for some minutes. However, this is not something to do every day, perhaps once a week or so.
2. Soak your gloves in salt water
This is a cleaning method to use when your gloves are smelling really bad. Add some saline water in a container and place your boxing gloves inside, leave them there overnight and let them dry the next morning. It will kill bacteria and eliminate odor. However, do not use this method for gloves that are made of a material that is not reactant to salt water, so, do some research first. The Roar says that this is a better cleaning method than boiling your gloves, which can damage them for good.
3. Freeze your gloves overnight
Freezing your gloves is very effective for killing bacteria and the best way to do it is by placing them in a plastic bag and then in the freezer overnight or two nights if you feel it is necessary. Then, let them dry for a couple of days.
4. Stuff your gloves with glove dogs
Glove dogs are small cotton bags filled with cedar chips that help draw the bacteria out of the gloves. You can also use newspaper or a bar of soap too, if you prefer, however, glove dogs are created especially for preventing bacteria growth and also increase gloves’ life span.
5. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is excellent for cleaning many different things, such as shoes, bags and boxing gloves! It helps remove the stink and it is easy to use. You will need to pour a tablespoon of this vinegar into your hand and rub inside the gloves thoroughly. Allow to dry overnight and if the next morning there is still some smell, repeat once more.
Things to avoid with your boxing gloves
We just gave you several tips on how to prevent bad smell and bacteria in your gloves and also what options you can choose from to clean them if you have to. Now, we want to tell you what NOT to do as an attempt of cleaning your gloves, according to RDX Sports Blog.
- Do not dry your gloves in the drying machine. Air or sunlight is much better.
- Do not use chemicals and sprays since it can develop cracks on the surface of the gloves.
- Avoid soaking your boxing gloves in water for long periods.
- Do not dry your gloves with a hairdryer for a long period of time.
Nonetheless, even if you have taken the best care possible for your boxing gloves, sometimes the time has come to say goodbye to them and get new ones. Gloves are not meant to last forever. A good tip is to write on the gloves with pen paint the month and year you purchased them so that you know that every six to 12 months you will need to replace them, depending of course on how often you have used them.
Can you wash your gloves in the washing machine?
A few posts ago we mentioned the best boxing gloves for men in 2020 and also gave you some tips about how to take care of your boxing gloves and if it was ok or not to put them in the washing machine.
The washing machine can be an option for gloves that are made from artificial leather, such as PU and Rexene, or those that have a closed-cell foam design. However, gloves that are made with an open-cell foam technology cannot be machine-washed and mold may form inside.
If you find out that you can indeed wash your gloves in the washing machine, try not to mix them with other laundry, especially cotton fabrics. If you wash leather gloves you will need to condition them after using high-quality leather-conditioning oil and let them soak in it for at least three days. Afterward, wipe them clean with a towel.
To know for sure that your gloves are dry, you can weigh them. They should weigh the same or maybe a little bit less than the original weight.
As we said above, instead of having to wash your gloves, prevention is better. You can stuff a regular cock filled with bicarbonate soda inside your gloves when storing them away and it will work as a deodorant.
How to know your boxing gloves size
If you have not yet purchased your boxing gloves you need to know your size, especially if you are going to buy them online and do not have a chance to try them out first. Gloves are displayed in ounces (oz) and the most common ones are 10, 12, 14 and 16 ounces. 18 and 20 ounces are more commonly used for sparring.
You can use this table for reference taking into consideration your weight and your hand circumference:
| Boxer’s Weight | Hand Circumference without Wrap | Weight Size |
| 40-54 kg | 5.5” – 6.5” | 8 oz |
| 54-68 kg | 6.5” – 7.5” | 10 oz |
| 68-84 kg | 7.5” – 8.5” | 12 oz |
| 84+ kg | 8.5” – 9.5” | 14 oz |
Have you washed your boxing gloves before? If so, how have you washed them and what tips would you give other boxers?
